'He's definitely on the upgrade' - can Mitbaahy strike again at Sandown?

Coral Charge (Group 3) (Registered As The Sprint Stakes) | 5f | 3yo+ | ITV/RTV

Five of the eight runners in the Coral Charge had their latest start over five furlongs at Ascot. Drawing parallels with the two courses is therefore pertinent and would seem logical, as both are straight and stiff. But the subtle differences could be revealing.

Ascot's straight course is a gradual climb which levels off in the last furlong. At Sandown, the hill steepens where five-furlong races take place on the course in the centre of the track. Two-thirds of the climbing happens in the second half of the race. It would be moot to suggest Sandown is steeper, but it might well feel like it.

It is also easier to predict where horses will race at Sandown. When stalls are on the far side, as they will be here, the action tends to congregate on the far rail. Be careful about terming this a bias, though, as the rail itself tends to offer just as much opportunity for in-running heartbreak as it does a guiding presence. Last year's first three home were drawn nine, seven and eight of 10. In 2020 the winner broke from stall one.

The stalls to watch for early pace this year would appear to be two, three and five. Tippy Toes, who suffered plenty of in-running woe in the Holyroodhouse at Royal Ascot, often leads in smaller fields. Method often leads over six furlongs. Equilateral is widest of the three but is a strong traveller who has shown the speed to lead Group-level sprints.

Two of the three who skipped Royal Ascot are arguably the most interesting in the race. Raasel's gradual improvement for Mick Appleby kicked up a gear when he beat Dragon Symbol in the Listed Achilles Stakes at Haydock last time.

Mitbaahy won at that level, too, over this course and distance. He is a strapping three-year-old whose three runs this year point to a highly progressive sort who is just getting going. While just about everything behind last time had some excuse, he won with more in hand than the length-and-a-half margin implies and deserves the utmost respect in bidding to follow up in Sandown's biggest sprint.
Race analysis by Keith Melrose

Can Equilateral back up 'massive' return?

Equilateral ran a remarkable race on his return after more than a year out to be fifth at odds of 66-1 in the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot last month and should find this easier.

The Charlie Hills-trained seven-year-old showed he had lost none of his zip when beaten five and a half lengths that day and drops back to Group 3 company.

Equilateral had previously enjoyed a decent spell at the Dubai Carnival last year, winning a Group 2 and finishing fourth in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint before sustaining an injury.

Kieran Shoemark keeps the ride on Equilateral and said: "He ran a massive race at Royal Ascot and is entitled to come on for it after such a long layoff. Obviously we were taking on the best sprinter in the world in Nature Strip that day and he should come on for it as he didn't travel as he usually does.

"He had a bit of success in Dubai, where he enjoyed the quick ground, before his injury so hopefully it stays dry at Sandown."

What they say

Stuart Williams, trainer of Existent
He was running against the best sprinter in the world in the King's Stand last time and he was drawn out on the wing which didn't help. This is a more realistic level and we’re looking forward to it.

Martyn Meade, joint-trainer of Method
We never thought five furlongs was his trip until he was just touched off in the Cornwallis Stakes in 2020 and rather than mess him about over six we'll just let him jump and run in this. He's had a run back and hopefully he can begin to realise his potential.

Method: drops back to the minimum tripCredit: Francesca Altoft Photography

David Egan, rider of Mitbaahy
He was a winner over course and distance last time and is definitely on the upgrade. He's versatile but stall one on the sprint course at Sandown is no bad place to be.
Reporting by David Milnes

Read our Saturday previews . . .

3.35 Sandown: Vadeni and Native Trail star in six-runner Coral-Eclipse

Big-race analysis: why top French raider Vadeni could become an Eclipse trend-setter (Members' Club)

2.25 Sandown: Hunt Cup fifth Sinjaari bids to continue series of big weight-carrying displays

2.40 Haydock: can progressive Free Wind take another step up the ladder for the Gosdens?

3.00 Sandown: unbeaten filly Heredia continues march to Group 1 level with Listed challenge

3.15 Haydock: Gaassee out to prove he's a Group horse in waiting in the Old Newton Cup

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